France in fine form

France's hopes of winning back their UEFA European Under-19 Championship crown were boosted as they won qualifying round Group 8 with a perfect record, while Denmark pipped Malta to second place.

Denmark held
Champions in 2005 but denied in last season's Elite round by Scotland, France began this campaign in Denmark with a 3-0 win against Finland. Malaury Martin converted a 21st-minute penalty, Damien Da Silva made it two after the break and Steve Pinau sealed the win in added time. Meanwhile the group hosts took a 23rd-minute lead against Malta through Nicki Nielsen, but Benjamin Camilleri levelled before half-time and the game ended 1-1.

Ten men through
However, Malta were unable to take any points off France. Pinau and Martin scored in the opening 22 minutes, and although France goalkeeper Yohann Carrasso was then sent off, Simon Pontdeme taking over, Granddi Ngoyi and Thomas Heurtaux doubled the lead before the interval. Camilleri converted a penalty and struck again 15 minutes from time, but France held on to win 4-2, enough to take them through as Denmark defeated Finland by the same score. Mika Ojala actually gave Finland a fifth-minute lead but Kristian Bo Andersen quickly equalised and Mike Jensen put Denmark ahead. Jensen scored again early in the second half and after Toni Kolehmainen reduced Finnish arrears, Jensen had the last word from the spot.

Malta denied
A 1-0 defeat by France through Kévin Monnet-Paquet's 50th-minute effort meant that Malta could have pipped Denmark with a three-goal win against Finland. However, the game ended 1-1 so France and Denmark enter December's Elite round draw.